How do you change your name when you don't have anyone to sign?

[TheSunIsAlwaysThere]

I've lived in my house less than two years so I don't have anyone here who has known me for ten years. I've seen a solicitor today and I'd have to find two people who could go to the solicitors with me. If they can come they haven't known me long enough, and if they have they are housebound. Any ideas please as I am desperate to change my name and I applied ten months ago but they kept emailing saying I've sent the wrong stuff. I hadn't and that been cleared up but I'm still stuck.

Yes you do not need an enrolled deedpoll to change your driving, either use the linked one or the free template on the gov website.

Thank you. Feel like I'm getting somewhere now. Just need to get both friends to sign the new form. Might take a few days for them to be able to do it but I feel like I have a plan.

need to look how to cancel the other one and get my money back.

Once you get your driving license done, when you get your passport done, you can enter your new driving license number and they use that as part of your evidence.

either of those, plus your deed of name change doc should be enough to change your bank details.

then it’s pretty easy to change everywhere else, if a bit annoying trying to remember everywhere you might need to change it. But even HMRC you can do easily.

The form says I have to pay to do the driving licence but not how much. Helpful!

I don't need a passport and I've made a list of every company and person I need to tell.

Apparently name change is free. It's other things that are payable.

If you already have a driving licence, changing your name is free, or £17 if you want to change your photo at the same time https://www.gov.uk/change-name-driving-licence

If you're applying for your first ever licence, it's £34

When you have your ten (or however many you print out) copies and they’re signed by your two people, try ringing places before sending your document off. When I did mine, I was on tax credits and they just changed my name over the phone, presumably because they use my NI number as ID anyway. The less official the organisation, the more they wanted, one of the utility companies wanted my name change document and a covering letter.

And any paper will do, I printed mine at my local library on bog standard photocopy paper. Thick paper means absolutely nothing. It’s a legal document, as long as the right words (in the right order) and signatures are on there it can be written on the back of a cereal packet.

For some reason I can't bring myself to try and cancel the official one but I know that's daft and I'll sleep on it. I just need to process it all in my mind. No doubts about changing my name though.

I'm really grateful for all the help and it's all been given so nicely, even without knowing immediately my brain issues. Thank you.

If it gives any reassurance to you, I can assure you both (free unenrolled and paid enrolled) are official and will get you the same result, best of luck with whichever one you choose, enjoy the new name!

Thank you @rutap I can't wait not to have my ex husbands name anymore and I am also changing my middle name as never liked that either.

I had another thought, at 5am fgs, so I now have three options.

1. Post all the official stuff today - money is already spent and I can afford it. Emotionally it's the same enrolled as my dd did. In a way easiest option. Also, process to get refund I am not sure about.

2. Wait and ring on Monday to ask how long it will be once it is received to get confirmation (and what do I get?) as on Thursday he implied it was pretty much straight away but I didn't have any faith in him. Lady yesterday was much more clued up and helpful but I forgot to ask that. When I started this process they said 16 weeks. If was over 20 before I had a reply and now if you're starting they say 24 weeks. I'm worried it will be 24 weeks from when I send the stuff back!

3. Get the one mentioned above signed (might take a few days for them to be free) then send off with the driving licence and see if that works.

Part of my brain damage makes it hard for me to make decisions and can take time. So frustrating as I used to be so confident in my choices.

Thank You again. You're all superstars.

Did you get divorced OP?

This seems quite a lot of individual things to do. And it seems like a long time to wait.

The free link above is…

Fill out form online

Print out about ten copies (I didn’t have a printer so I went to my local library for this and they helped me)

Get each copy signed by your people

Start phoning places eg bank, driving licence, gas, electric, internet provider, water, anyone else, and either tell them over the phone what your new name is or post them a copy.

I think this less to do and also a bit quicker.

BUT the end result is the same so you should go with whichever seems more logical in your mind.

And then enjoy using your new name!

I did divorce my husband, yes, @FountainCourted bur not sure why relevant?

@NoCommentingFromNowOn , it feels like a no brainer when you put it like that. The earliest I can get them signed is Monday and probably later than that in reality. In my head I'm thinking I have to give proof. I spoke to my building society and he couldn't tell me if an unenrolled deed poll would do. He said I had to take what I get into the branch and they would tell me. If they say no then I'd have to do the enrolled one and this is why I'm feeling so hesitant I think. Or is it really just a question of two people sign and the companies have to accept it?

Because if you’re changing your name back to your maiden name after a divorce, you don’t need to do any of this.

All you need is the decree absolute. You don’t even need to use a deed poll.

Also, as is evident on this thread, many of us have change our names without an enrolled deed poll. I would be amazed if your building society doesn’t accept it, when it’s enough for government organisations.

I realise it would have been easier to go back to my maiden name but I 100% did not want to do that.

The person I really want to sign for me can do the week after next and I've realised that for me waiting a week is fine as it's more important they do it.

I am hoping that once I get my driving licence it will make everything else fall into place.

She said she’s changing her middle name too.

You don't need to pay anything or have anyone that's known you a long time op. I've used the free online deed poll twice and it's been instantly accepted everywhere, DVLA, banks etc. don't waste your money 😁

Yes, again, I wish I'd come on here to ask about it. I should be able to get my £50 back though. If I cancel they refund apparently.